Treatment and Research of Experienced Anomalous Trauma (TREAT)

A center focusing on UFO (unidentified flying object) abduction phenomena, TREAT was founded in 1989 by psychiatrist Rima E. Laibow. It held its first conference May 12-14, 1989, at Fairfield University in Connecticut. Laibow has suggested that such "abductions," which she considers "experienced anomalous trauma," are the result of an unknown factor, possibly one outside the realm of conventional psychological explanation. However, even though the cause remains unknown, it is possible to treat the effects (symptoms) which are themselves well known.

Although Laibow initially maintained a friendly relationship with ufologists, for whom abduction phenomena had emerged as a major issue of research, tension soon developed. Laibow broke with leading abduction spokespersons Budd Hopkins and David M. Jacobs and removed them from participation in TREAT. She also disagreed with other ufologists by asserting the dominant role of mental health professionals, as opposed to a cooperative (essentially equal) role between psychologists and ufologists.

In spite of the problems, TREAT has continued to function. It holds annual meetings in the United States, paralleled by a series of regional meetings in Europe and Russia. Such meetings between professionals and interested parties are intended to create a nexus of collaborators and colleagues worldwide to further research and investigate UFO and parapsychological phenomena. Address: 13 Summit Terr., Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522.

Sources:

Clark, Jerome. UFOs in the 1980s: The UFO Encyclopedia, Volume I. Detroit: Apogee Books, 1990.

Laibow, Rima E. "Dual Victims: The Abused and the Abducted." International UFO Reporter 14, 3 (May/June 1989): 4-9.